Bolens 130-527-000 User Manual
owicirs GUIDE
ASSEMBLY • OPERATION • MAINTENANCE • PARTS
$1.00
Model Number
26" LAWN
130-527-000
TRACTOR
Important: Read Safety Rules and Instructions Carefully
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
FORM NO. 770-721OE
INDEX
Slope Gauge................................................................................3
Hardware Pack and Loose Parts.....................................4
Safe Operation Practices
Assembly Instructions ............................................................6
Operation..................................................................................11
Adjustments..............................................................................13
Lubrication.................................................................................15
Maintenance.............................................................................16
Off-Season Storage................................................................18
Trouble Shooting Chart.................................................19, 20
Illustrated Parts for Lawn Tractor
Illustrated Parts for Transmission
Illustrated Parts for Differential
Illustrated Parts for Grass Catcher
and Hitch Plate....................................................................30
Wiring Schematic
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21-27
.. .28
29
31
Dear Customer,
So often throughout the year we are all In a
rush to meet our dally obligations.
However, we at MTD Products Inc are tak
5
ing a quick moment out to say...
“Thank you for your business.’’
Sincerely,
MTD PRODUCTS INC
INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN WITH THIS SYM
BOL ARE FOR PERSONAL SAFETY. BE
A
SURE TO FOLLOW THEM.
WARNING: This unit is equipped with an interr lal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unim
proved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with
a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained
in effective working order by the operator.
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^
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Cut Alo. ^is Line
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USE THIS SHEET AS A GUIDE TO DETERMINE SLOPES WHERE YOU MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY.
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE
A POWER POLE
A CORNER OF A BUILDING
OR A FENCE POST
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Ac WARNING ^
Do not mow on inclines with a slope In excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2V2 feet every 10 feet). A
riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is
extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.
..........
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HARDWARE PhCK AND LOOSE PARTS
Loose Parts in Carton:
(1) Steering Wheel
(1) Battery Pack
(1) Carton with Grass Catcher, Hitch Plate and all
Hardware which includes:
Steering Wheel Cap
Belleville Washer
Hex Lock Nut 5/16-18 Thread
Battery Cover
Hold-Down Rods
(2)
Cable Tie
(1)
Wing Nuts
Hex Bolts 5/16-18 x 3/4" Long
Lock Washers 5/16" I.D.
(8)
Hex Nuts 5/16-18 Thread
(8)
Hex Bolt 3/8-16 X 1" Long
Lock Washer 3/8" I.D.
Hex Nut 3/8-16 Thread
Hitch Bracket
Hitch Pin
Hairpin Cotter
Rear Hitch Plate
Hex Sems Bolts 5/16-18 x 1" Long
Hex Bolts 1/4-20 X 5/8" Long
Hex Lock Nuts 1/4-20 Thread
Hinges—Right and Left Hand
Grass Catcher Side Frames—
Right and Left Hand
Grass Bag (Not Shown)
Bottom Cross Braces
Catcher Handles
Frame Assembly
Dust Cover
K—
M—
©-•—J
u—r
I ® ® s
V' CT^ X® ® ® a
■H
A (1)
B (1)
C (1)
D (1)
E
F
G (2)
H (4)
K (1)
L (1)
M (1)
N (1)
O (1)
P (1)
Q (1)
R (4)
U (4)
V (12)
W (2)
X (2)
Y (1)
AA (2)
AB (2)
AC (1)
AD (1)
A
IMPORTANT
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY
AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING
TO OPERATE YOUR UNIT. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE
THIS SYMBOL- ^ HEED ITS WARNING.
A
Your unit was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manuai. As with any
A
type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury.
If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.
1. READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL carefully in its entirety before at
tempting to assemble or operate this unit. Keep this manual in
a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. This unit is a precision piece of power equipment, not a plaything.
Therefore exercise extreme caution at all times.
3. Know the controls and how to stop the machine quickly.
4. Do not allow children to operate vehicle. Do not allow adults to
operate it without proper instruction. Only persons well acquainted
with these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use your
mower.
5. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks and
shirts to avoid entanglement in the moving parts. Never operate
a unit in bare feet, sandals, or sneakers.
6. To prevent injury, do not carry passengers or give rides. Keep
children, pets and bystanders out of the area while mowing. Only
the operator should ride on the unit and only ride in the seat.
7. Check overhead clearance carefully before driving under power
lines, guy wires, bridges or low hanging tree branches, before
entering or leaving buildings, or in any other situation where the
operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which could result
in serious injury.
8. To maintain control of the unit and reduce the possibility of upset
or collision, operate the tractor smoothly. Avoid erratic operation
and excessive speed.
9. Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particularly small
children and pets. Stop engine when they are in the vicinity of
your mower. Although the area of operation should be complete
ly cleared of foreign objects, a small object may have been
overlooked and could be accidently thrown by the mower in any
direction and cause injury to you or a bystander.
10. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields during operation or while
performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign
objects that may be thrown from the machine in any direction.
11. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.
12. Disengage all attachment clutches and shift into neutral before
attempting to start engine.
13. Before leaving the operator’s position, disengage blade(s), place
shift lever in neutral, engage parking brake, shut engine off and
remove key.
14. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear
of the discharge opening at all times as the rotating blade(s) can
cause injury.
15. Disengage power to attachment(s) and stop engine before mak
ing any repairs or adjustments. Disconnect the spark plug wire
and keep the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental starting.
16. Before attempting to unclog the mower or discharge chute, stop
the engine. The mower blade(s) may continue to rotate for a few
seconds after the engine is shut off. Therefore, be sure the blade(s)
have stopped completely. Disconnect the spark plug wire and keep
the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental starting.
DANGER
17. Disengage power to attachment(s) when transporting or not in use.
18. For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual
to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly
area. If the slope is greater than 15“ as shown on the slope gauge,
do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result.
19. Do not stop or start suddenly when going uphill or downhill. Mow
up and down face of steep slopes; never across the face. Use
extreme caution if it is necessary to drive the tractor up an incline
or back the tractor down an incline because the front of the trac
tor could lift and rapidly flip over backward which could cause
serious injury.
20. Reduce speed on slopes and in sharp turns to prevent tipping or
loss of control. Always keep the tractor in low gear when going
down steep hills to take advantage of engine braking action. Choose
a low enough gear so that you will not have to stop or shift while
on the slope.
21. Stay alert for holes in terrain and other hidden hazards which may
cause the unit to tip over.
22. Use care when pulling loads or using heavy equipment.
A. Use only approved drawbar hitch points.
B. Limit loads to those you can safely control.
C. Do not turn sharply. Use care when backing.
D. Use counterweight(s) or wheel weights when suggested in
owner’s manual.
23. Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways.
24. When using any attachments, never direct discharge of material
toward bystanders nor allow anyone near vehicle while in operation.
25. Handle gasoline with care. It is highly flammable.
A. Use approved gasoline container.
B. Never remove cap or add gasoline to a running or hot engine
or fill fuel tank indoors. Wipe up spilled gasoline. Always use
original type vented cap.
C. Open doors if engine is run in garage. Exhaust fumes are
dangerous. Do not run engine indoors.
26. Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank inside a building
where ignition sources are present, such as hot water and space
heaters, clothes dryers, and the like. Allow the engine to cool before
storing in any enclosure.
27. To reduce fire hazard, keep engine and cutting deck free of grass,
leaves or excessive grease.
28. Keep the vehicle and attachments in good operating condition,
and keep safety devices in place. Use guards as instructed in
operator’s manual.
29. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment
is in safe working condition.
30. The vehicle and attachments should be stopped and inspected for
damage after striking a foreign object. The damage should be
repaired before restarting and operating the equipment.
31. Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the
engine.
Rules for Safe Operation (continued)
32. When using the vehicle with mower, proceed as follows: 34.
(1) Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
(2) Never make a cutting height adjustment while engine i 3 running
if operator must dismount to do so.
(3) Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a complete 35.
stop before removing the grass catcher.
(4) Check blade mounting bolts for proper tightness at frequent in
tervals. 36.
33. Check grass catcher bags frequently for wear or deterior jtion. For
safety protection, replace only with new bag meeting origi lal equip
ment specifications.
/ASSEMBLY
IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT
GASOLINE or OIL; however, a small amount of oil
may be present from the factory. Do not overfill.
After assembly, service engine with gasolim; and
oil as instructed in the separate engine manual
packed with your unit.
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the
unit is observed from the driver’s seat, facing
forward.
UNPACKING
1. Remove the lawn tractor from the carton as fc illows.
Open the top flaps. Remove all loose parts arid car
ton inserts. Cut the front corners of the carton.
Make certain brake is released, and push the unit
out of the carton.
2. Remove page four from this manual and I jy out
the contents of the hardware pack accordine to the
illustration for identification.
Look behind to make sure the area is clear before placing the
transmission in reverse and continue looking behind while back
ing up. Disengage blades before shifting into reverse and backing
up.
This unit should not be driven up a ramp onto a trailer or truck
under power, because the unit could tip over, causing serious per
sonal injury. The unit must be pushed manually to load properly.
Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service according
to brake adjustment instructions in this manual.
BATTERY INFORMATION
WARNING
AC
A. Battery acid must be handled with great care as
contact with it can burn and blister the skin, it is also
advisable to wear protective clothing (goggles, rub
ber gloves and apron) when working with it.*
B. Should battery acid accidentally splatter into the
eyes or onto the face, rinse the affected area im
mediately with clean cold water. If there is any
further discomfort, seek prompt medical attention.
C. If acid spills on clothing, first dilute it with clean
water, then neutralize with a solution of ammonia/
water or baking soda/water.
D. Since battery acid is corrosive, do not pour it into
any sink or drain. Before discarding empty elec
trolyte containers, rinse them with a neutralizing
solution.
E. NEVER connect or disconnect charger clips to bat
tery while charger is turned on as it can cause
sparks.
F. Keep all lighted materials (cigarettes, matches,
lighters) away from the battery as the hydrogen gas
generated during charging can be combustible.
G. As a further precaution, only charge the battery in
a well-ventilated area.
* Always shield eyes, protect skin and clothing
when working near batteries.
Screwdriver
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2.
DANGER
Battery contains sulfuric acid. Refer to warning on
page 6. Antidote: EXTERNAL—Flush with water.
INTERNAL—Drink large quantities of water or milk.
Follow with milk of magnesia, beaten eggs or vegetable
oil. Call physician immediately. EYES: Flush with cool
water for at least 15 minutes, then get prompt medical
attention.
Since batteries produce explosive gases, keep all
lighted materials (cigarettes, lighters, matches, etc.)
away. Be sure to charge battery only in well-ventilated
areas. Make certain venting path of battery (drain tube)
is always open.
KEEP BATTERIES
OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN!
i
ACTIVATING THE BAHERY
Do not activate battery (fill with battery acid) until
battery is actually placed in service. Be certain to
read previous warnings before activating the
battery.
1. Open the battery pack. Be careful not to puncture
the box. It contains the battery with a long plastic
tube attached, battery fluid (acid) in a plastic con
tainer, one short plastic tube and one hardware
pack (two hex bolts and nuts).
2. Place the battery on a table or workbench. Make
certain the long plastic drain tube is in place on
the vent elbow.
3. Remove the six fill caps from the top of the bat
tery with a screwdriver. Be careful not to damage
-----
the fill caps. See figure 1.
4. Place the battery fluid container on the table or
workbench. Carefully cut off tip of the spout and
attach the short plastic tube provided. Do not
squeeze the container when cutting tip.
5. Fill each battery cell slowly and carefully to the UP-
----
PER LEVEL line marked on battery. See figure 2.
Use caution as the acid level will rise rapidly after
the bottom of the cell is filled.
6. Allow battery to stand for 30 minutes with the fill
caps removed, while the plates absorb acid.
7. If acid level has fallen after the 30 minute standing
period, refill each cell with battery acid to the UP
PER LEVEL line on battery. Replace the fill caps.
8. Before discarding the empty container, neutralize
any residue with baking soda and rinse container
with water. Puncture container several times
before discarding.
9. Charge the battery after the 30 minute standing
period. SLOW CHARGE THE BATTERY (DO NOT
FAST CHARGE) at a maximum bench rate of 1.4
amperes until the specific gravity reading is
1.260-1.280. Charge for a minimum of 2 hours and
a maximum of 8 hours.
NOTE: Charging rate after battery has been put into
operation: The battery is to be charged for a period of
14-16 hours. NO LONGER THAN 30 HOURS.
After battery has been charged, add oniy distilled water.
Do not add acid.
NOTE: During normal operation, it is only necessary to
charge the battery:
1. When it is activated for the first time.
2. Before winter storage.
3. Before using the lawn tractor after winter storage.
Shift
Lever
Locks.
FIGURE 3.
Red
(Positive) Black
Shift Cable (Negative)
Lever !^P^itive^\
vTerminal^
Hold-Down
Rod (E)
Drain
Tube
FIGURE 4.
Transmissior
Cover
INSTALLING THE BATTERY
1. Place the shift lever in the “N” (neutral) position.
Unscrew the gear shift lever knob.
2. Push down and turn the locks on the transmission
-----
cover. See figure 3.
3. Lift the transmission cover. Unplug the safety wire
from beneath the transmission cover. Remove
transmission cover.
4. Move the shift lever all the way to the left. See
figure 4.
5. Hook the hold down rods (E) into the holes in the
frame and lay them off to the sides.
6. Place the battery in the lawn tractor so that the
positive terminal is towards the left side of the unit.
Feed the end of the battery drain tube through the
hole provided in this frame. See figure 4.
Slide the hex nut (provided with battery hardware)
into the positive (+) terminal. Place the positive
(heavy red wire) cable on the positive terminal.
Secure with bolt provided. See figure 4.
Slide the hex nut (provided with battery hardware)
into the negative (-) terminal. Place the negative
(heavy black wire) cable on the negative terminal.
Secure with bolt provided.
10. Place the battery cover (D) in position over the bat
tery and one hold-down rod. Secure with wing nut
(G). Attach other hold-down rod to the other side
-----
of battery cover in the same manner. See figure 5.
11. Using cable tie (F), secure battery drain tube to the
brake pedal shaft assembly. Cut off excess end.
See figure 5, inset.
■V.
Hex Lock
Nuts (V)
Steering Wheel
Cap (A)
ATTACHING THE STEERING WHEEL
1. Position the front wheels of the tractor so they are
pointing straight forward.
2. Place the steering wheel over the steering shaft,
positioning steering wheel as desired.
3. Place the belleville washer (B) with the cupped side
down over the steering shaft. Secure with hex lock
------nut (C). See figure 6.
4. Place the steering wheel cap (A) over the center
of the steering wheel and seat it with your hand.
ASSEMBLY OF GRASS CATCHER (See figure 7)
1. Place the right and left hand frame sides (X) inside
the grass bag (Y). The long end of side frame goes
to the bottom of the bag.
2. Place the weld bolts on side frames through the
eyelets in bag.
3. Bolt the front frame assembly (corner brackets to
-----
the top) to the side frames with four hex bolts (U)
and hex lock nuts (V).
4.
Snap the plastic edge of grass bag over frame.
5.
Place the grass catcher top side up. Place two
handles (AB) in position and secure with four hex
lock nuts (V).
Turn the grass catcher over, bottom side up. Place
the cross braces (AA) in position as shown. The
first brace will have the curved side down. The top
brace will be positioned with the curved side up.
7.
Place dust cover (AD) in position on top front of
catcher. Place right and left hand hinges (W) in
position and secure with hex sems bolts (R), lock
washers (I) and hex nuts (J).
Curved Side Up
Curved Side Down
FIGURE 7.
NOTE: Hinges will only match the hole pattern one way
(hook down). Only make bolts finger tight at this time.
Cross Braces
(AA)
Dust Cover
(AD)
Hook Side
Down
FIGURE 8.
Hitch
Plate
FIGURE 9.
8. Assemble the grass catcher to lawn tractor as
—follows. See figure 8. Lift the grass catcher aii the
way up. Have someone hold grass catcher up or
block up. Then with two 1/2" wrenches, tighten
hinge bracket boits securely.
Two 1/2" Wrenches
ASSEMBLY OF HITCH PLATE (See figure 9)
The hitch plate is used in place of the grass catcher
when towing a traiier.
1. Remove the grass catcher.
2. Place the hitch bracket through the hitch plate.
Secure with hex boit (K), lock washer (L) and hex
nut (M). The looped end of hitch pin (O) goes under
head of bolt.
3. Remove the rear chute baffle (if so equpped) by
removing the two hex bolts, lock washers, and hex
nuts used to secure the rear chute baffle to the
grass catcher adapter. See reference number 102
on page 27.
—4. Place the rear hitch piate against the discharge
opening of the lawn tractor. Attach with four 5/16"
boits (H), lock washers (I) and nuts (J).
Use the hitch pin to secure your attachments to the
iawn tractor.
TIRE PRESSURE
The tires on you unit may be over-inflated for shipping
purposes. Reduce the tire pressure before operating
the unit. Recommended operating tire pressure is approximateiy 12 p.s.i. (check sidewali of tire for tire
manufacturer’s recommended pressure).
WARNING: Maximum tire pressure under
any circumstances is 30 p.s.i. Equal tire
A
10
pressure should be maintained on all
tires.
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